SECURITY COUNCIL PRESIDENTIAL STATEMENT WELCOMES BURUNDI’S

APPROVAL OF POST-TRANSITIONAL CONSTITUTION

The Security Council today welcomed the approval by the Burundian people of the post-transitional Constitution, through the referendum of 28 February whose final results have just been declared.

In a statement read out by its President, Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg (Brazil), the Council also called on all Burundians to remain committed to the course of national reconciliation, for further steps remain to be taken. It invited the political leadership in the country to work together towards the common goal of holding, expeditiously, local and national elections that are free and fair.

The statement adds that the very broad participation of the citizens of Burundi, who had voted in favour of the Constitution in large numbers, is the sign of their support to the peace process. It is an important event for Burundi and for the whole region of the Great Lakes of Africa.

The meeting began at 1:15 p.m. and ended at 1:20 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of the presidential statement, to be issued as S/PRST/2005/13, reads as follows:

“The Security Council welcomes the approval by the Burundian people of the post-transitional Constitution, through the referendum of 28 February 2005 whose final results have just been declared. The very broad participation of the citizens of Burundi, who have voted in favour of the Constitution in large numbers, is the sign of their support to the peace process. It is an important event for Burundi and for the whole region of the Great Lakes of Africa.

“The Security Council calls upon all Burundians to remain committed to the course of national reconciliation, for further steps remain to be taken. It invites in particular the political leadership in the country to work together towards the common goal of holding, expeditiously, local and national elections that are free and fair. It encourages the donor community to continue providing its assistance to this end.”

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For information media. Not an official record.

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